GLENDALE, Ariz. >> Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani looked a little rusty for a moment on Friday night at Camelback Ranch, producing just one awkward swing and miss while working a full count against Yusei Kikuchi in the first inning.

The five-pitch warmup was all he needed.

Batting in the leadoff spot, Ohtani drove a fastball high into the air to the opposite field, easily clearing the left field wall for a solo homer in his first spring training appearance following offseason shoulder surgery. A packed pro-Dodgers crowd roared in approval and it’s another sign that the three-time MVP could have another big season.

Ohtani batted three times on Friday, popping out in the second inning and striking out swinging in the fifth. As planned, he left the game with several other starters following the fifth inning.

The 30-year-old Japanese star was playing against big league competition for the first time since he had surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He suffered the injury in Game 2 of the World Series while sliding into second base, but still played in the final three games of the Fall Classic as the Dodgers beat the Yankees in five games to win a championship.

Ohtani won his third MVP last year after batting .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season. The two-way star didn’t pitch in 2024 — his first with the Dodgers — because of an elbow injury.

Right-hander Ureña and New York Mets finalize minor league contract >> Right-hander José Ureña and the New York Mets finalized a minor league contract on Friday.

New York agreed to the deal with the 33-year-old after right-hander Frankie Montas strained a lat muscle and left-hander Sean Manaea strained his right oblique.

Ureña was 5-8 with a 3.80 ERA last year in nine starts and 24 relief appearances for Texas, striking out 70 and walking 39 in 109 innings. He was 2-6 with a 5.08 ERA as a starter.

Diamondbacks shortstop Alexander’s status for opening day in doubt due to oblique strain >> Arizona Diamondbacks utility player Blaze Alexander will miss several weeks with a strained right oblique, potentially putting his status for opening day in doubt.

Manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Friday that Alexander will miss “weeks not days.”

The 25-year-old Alexander arrived at spring training in the mix for a reserve role after hitting .247 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 61 games. He made the club out of spring training last season before bouncing between the majors and Triple-A Reno.

Gil to have MRI >> Yankees right-hander Luis Gil will have an MRI after the AL Rookie of the Year experienced shoulder tightness during a bullpen session manager Aaron Boone said, according to New York media.

Boone also said right-hander JT Brubaker sustained three broken ribs when hit by a comebacker off the bat of Tampa Bay’s Kameron Misner on Feb. 21.

Gil, 26, cut short his bullpen session early, Boone said. He was 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts last year, striking out 171 and walking a major league-high 77 in 151 2/3 innings.